News

Dickinson extends Edinburgh deal

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 14:34

Prop Alasdair Dickinson has become the latest Scotland internationalist to extend his Edinburgh contract to 2016.

The 30-times capped loosehead rejoined the club on a one-year deal in May, having left the club for the English Premiership back in 2007.

Some six seasons at Gloucester and Sale Sharks followed before he returned to the capital in his propping pomp to take a firm grasp of the number one shirt.

With 11 starts in 13 appearances he has missed just two matches so far this season ? once during the autumn internationals where he featured in all three Tests for Scotland, and the second a rotated rest break.

"It's my home club. I stared my career here in the academy ten years ago and I've really enjoyed it since I've come back.

"I firmly believe in what the coaches are building. There's a great group of lads here and I'm very happy to be part of the plans for a bright future.

"All the staff are so passionate about Edinburgh Rugby as a club and all the players are the same. We're all aiming in the right direction and I think we're really starting to generate that family feel.

"It's easier to get into a run when you play a lot of games and fortunately I've managed to do that this year. The important thing is to maintain that form for the club and the boys.

"I'm well aware that Wicus [Blaauw] is in and around the squad and is a quality player. It's that quality throughout the squad that drives everyone to perform every week because if you don't someone else will take your place."

Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons, said: "The important thing is that Dicko [Dickinson] is a great guy to have in the squad and a really good player.

"He has played terrific rugby this season and I think he has every prospect of getting the starting loosehead berth at the time of the RBS 6 Nations.

"It's wonderful that we've been able to sign him, together with the other Scottish internationalists, and keep them here at Edinburgh Rugby. I think it only augurs well for the club going forward.?

Despite his impressive form and autumn Scotland call, Dickinson was adamant that it was his commitment to the club rather than serving international ambitions that convinced him to stay in the capital.

He added: "I don't tend to think about it too much. If I play well for Edinburgh then things will happen off the back of that.

"I don't see Edinburgh as a way of getting into a Scotland shirt. This club is my first and foremost priority.

"It's all about performing for Edinburgh. Selection is out of my control. The only thing I can control is playing well for Edinburgh and improving every week."